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可惜 (kě xī) — regrettable; it's a pity; unfortunately

Definition

可惜 (kěxī) is used to express that something missed or lost is a shame — lighter and more everyday than 遗憾, which is a deeper, more lasting regret. It often functions as a sentence-level comment, set off by 真 in speech.

adjective
regrettableit's a pityunfortunately

Examples

  • ，可惜。
    Zhè me hǎo de jī huì cuò guò le, zhēn kě xī.
    It's a real pity to miss such a good opportunity.
  • ，可惜。
    Wǒ méi mǎi dào piào, zhēn kě xī.
    I didn't get a ticket — what a pity.
  • ，可惜。
    Nǐ bù néng lái cān jiā, zhēn kě xī.
    It's a pity you can't come and join us.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

可kěcan/worthy of
惜xīregret

“可” adds a sense of being able or worthy, and “惜” means regret, giving regrettable.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
口口kǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
丂
丂kǎo可kě
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

可 pairs 口 (mouth) with 丂 as a sound part; it is tied to air from the mouth, perhaps singing.

Open 可 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
忄Written in full as心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
昔
昔xī惜⁰xī
Same sound today

惜 has 忄, the heart, and 昔, which gives the sound. 昔 also points to the past or an ending, so the feeling is about something past.

Open 惜 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 4HSK 2.0 Level 4Emotions & Feelings2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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